Surname Hotchkiss - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Hotchkiss: What does the surname Hotchkiss mean?
The surname Hotchkiss is of English origin and is derived from the Middle English term "hochekys," which refers to a form of a hatchet or small axe. The name was likely given as an occupational name to those who made these types of tools. It may have also been used as a nickname for someone who commonly used a hatchet or axe, like a woodcutter perhaps. In some cases, it might have been used to denote someone who lived by a sign or house distinguished by the sign of an axe. The name has varied spelling including Hodgkiss, Hodgskiss, and Hotchkiss. Over several centuries, members of the Hotchkiss family migrated to different regions and countries including Ireland, Canada, Australia, and the United States, making it quite widespread today.
Order DNA origin analysisHotchkiss: Where does the name Hotchkiss come from?
The last name Hotchkiss is of Anglo-Saxon origin, particularly from the region that is now Shropshire, England. The derivation is from the words "hoh", which means a spur of land, and "cyrice", which means a church. Therefore, the name could be given to those living near a landmark such as a church on a hilly area. The spelling has evolved over centuries and appeared in various forms such as Hocherches, Hogherky, Hogherches, and finally, Hotchkiss.
The Hotchkiss surname is predominantly found in the United States today, especially in states like Utah, Colorado, and Connecticut. It owes its prevalence to British migration during colonial times. Migration patterns also spread the name across English-speaking countries, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. However, it remains a relatively uncommon name globally.
Variations of the surname Hotchkiss
The surname Hotchkiss is of English origin, derived from the place named Hodnet in Shropshire, which was originally known as "Hochenet" in the Domesday Book.
Several spelling variations have been found in records over centuries, such as Hodgkiss, Hodgetts, Hodgkess, Hotchkin, Hotchkis, Hatchkiss, Hodgskiss, and variations that do not include the "H" such as Odgkin, Odgkiss, Ochkin, and Ochkiss.
It is also crucial to understand that phonetic spelling was common in past centuries and different spellings of the same original surname can often be traced back to a single ancestor. Furthermore, the use of prefixes or suffixes can also suggest a variation of the original surname. Therefore, it is possible that this surname can be extended to similar sounding surnames such as "Hochkins" or "Hodgkins".
Moreover, the surname Hotchkiss can be seen in Scottish records too due to migration and intermingling of cultures, thus variation of the surname in Scotland like "Hotchkissoun" can also be found in historic texts.
Therefore, the surname shows a rich diversity of spellings and variations, demonstrating the migration and semantic changes that occur in surnames over time.
Famous people with the name Hotchkiss
- Katie Hotchkiss: Fame came to Katie Hotchkiss after her appearance in the show "The Bachelor", where she was a contestant.
- Nick Hotchkiss: Nick Hotchkiss is an American TV and film actor best known for roles on "Tales from the Loop", "The Boys in the Band", and "American Hustle".
- David Hotchkiss: David Hotchkiss is a former NFL running back who played for both the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Herbert Hotchkiss: Herbert Hotchkiss was a noted American lawyer in the oil industry who argued in the 1971 Supreme Court case Pennzoil Co. v. Texaco, Inc.
- David Hotchkiss Haviland: David Hotchkiss Haviland was an American landscape painter and geologist.
- Melville Hotchkiss: Melville Hotchkiss was an American climatologist and professor at Yale University. He is best known for his work on climate change and ocean circulation.
- Henry Hotchkiss: Henry Hotchkiss was an American builder who was instrumental in constructing several historic homes in Connecticut.
- H. Bacon Hotchkiss: H. Bacon Hotchkiss was a noted American jurist and chief justice of the state of Connecticut Supreme Court.
- Glenn Hotchkiss: Glenn Hotchkiss is an American business executive who has held leadership positions at Lenovo, Logitech, and Quirkology.
- Roger Hotchkiss: Roger Hotchkiss was a prominent American university administrator and professor of organizational behavior, who held positions at Dartmouth, Harvard, Stanford, and the University of Southern California.